Dramatic paint jobs abound at the Cruise In at Bruster's ice cream on Garrisonville Road. billy howell

This Chevy Impala carried a $3,442.40 price tag when it was new. One of the extras was two-speed windshield wipers. billy howell

Car enthusiasts will return to Bruster's next spring for another round of family friendly Saturday night outings. billy howell

Cruise In holds blowout end-of-season event

by Shannon Howell

Date published: 10/30/2007

by Shannon Howell

Starting the summer with just three cars, the Saturday night "cruise-in" event held behind Bruster's Ice Cream on Garrisonville Road recently celebrated a season-ending "blowout" with more than 70 cars.

Trophies donated by local businesses lined the top of a table by the front of the parking lot where Gary Ingoglia announced the winners. He also handed out candy to the many children in the group.

Ingoglia says the show is "all about the community."

His neighbor Ron Phillips, a retired Marine Corps gunnery sergeant, started the cruise-in in June hoping to provide a fun, free and safe event for car enthusiasts and their families.

"We started out with three cars and got rained out a few of the first weeks," he says, and adds, "We've been going strong ever since."

At the blowout, more than 70 antique and muscle cars were parked in straight lines, all with their hoods raised to display immaculate motors. One car even had a curb-service tray attached to its window, complete with fake food.

Mike Vuckovich and his 15-year-old son, Nick, proudly showed off their blue and white 1966 Shelby GT 350 clone.

Vuckovich and his family moved to the area in early summer. One night, he happened to drive by and saw all the cars and said, "Holy cow!" He has been coming back regularly.

Vuckovich praises the car show's family atmosphere and likes the fact that it's something he can enjoy with his son. Plus they "absolutely" love getting the free ice cream donated by Bruster's each week to car owners officially entered in the event.

Huddling under a blanket on a lawn chair were Laura Santos and two girlfriends. "The guys have more in common than the girls. We come for the free ice cream," she said.

Robert Silvrants, 12, sat on the running board of his dad's 1938 Chevrolet Rutledge firetruck polishing a canister, one of the few things not gleaming on the beautiful old truck. He's happy to give information about the firetruck to passers-by.

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Date published: 10/30/2007